Clean and renewable energy

A study by the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investments Fund shows Nicaragua ranking second out of 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries in clean energy generation, behind only Brazil. The renewable energy projects being developed in Nicaragua today include aeolian (wind), geothermic (volcanoes), mini-hydraulic (water) and biomass (based on sugar cane residues). All these projects are based on private investment. Emilio Rappaccioli, Nicaragua’s minister of energy and mines, says the electricity generated by these projects next year will represent 51% of national generation and save Nicaragua US$300 million in the billing of 3 million barrels of fuel that curently feed the country’s thermal plants. Even the Ortega government’s harshest critics recognize its opening to such investments as a major achievement that’s modifying the country’s energy grid, up to now 65% dependent on oil.